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The Terminator (1984)

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The Terminator (1984)

The Terminator is the 1984 science fiction film directed by James Cameron that starsArnold Schwarzenegger as a killer cyborg sent by machines from the future with the sole mission of killing the woman who will give birth to the leader of the future human resistance. Arnold Schwarzenegger would reprise the role in the sequels Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) and Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2004) and as well as appear via CGI in 2009's Terminator Salvation.


The following weapons were used in the film The Terminator:



Handguns

AMT Hardballer .45 Longslide

The Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) acquires an AMT Hardballer Longslide with a primitive laserlock sight (a one-off made by someone from a company that would later become SureFire) in addition to several other weapons from a gunshop shortly after his arrival from 2029. He first uses it to terminate two women from a phone book who share the name Sarah Connor. When he arrives at the real Connor's (Linda Hamilton) apartment, he is seen with it when confronting her roommate, Ginger Ventura (Bess Motta). Upon tracking Sarah to the Tech Noir nightclub, the Terminator loses this weapon when Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) intervenes in the attempted termination, at which point he switches to his IMI Uzi.

AMT Hardballer Longslide with laserlock sight as used in the film - .45 ACP
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The Terminator inspects the .45 in the gunshop.
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A closeup of the laserlock sight.
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Another shot of the Terminator inspecting the gun.
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The Terminator aims the .45 at Ginger's (Bess Motta) answering machine.
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The Terminator reloads his .45.
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The Terminator sets the .45 down as he looks for Sarah's address book.
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The Terminator aims his .45 at Sarah's head seconds before being stopped by Kyle Reese.
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In 1984, laser sights were rare, and required a high level of power. This helium neon laser needed 10,000 volts to turn on, and a further 1,000 volts to maintain its brightness. The cables were run up Arnold's arm to a battery that was in his M65 field jacket. The laser was activated by his other hand.

Smith & Wesson Model 15

After Kyle and Sarah are apprehended by the police later on, several officers can be seen holding Smith & Wesson Model 15s. Several officers also use Smith & Wesson Model 15 when the Terminator raids the police station. A nickel-plated Smith & Wesson Model 15 is also seen being wielded by the Terminator when he runs out of ammunition for his AR-18 during the car chase at the end.

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Smith & Wesson Model 15 - .38 Special
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An officer fires a Model 15 during the Terminator's attack on the police station.
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The Terminator fires a nickel-plated Model 15 (obtained at the gun shop - The revolver is sitting on the counter, you can see it after the terminator requests the .45 with laser sighting), during the film's final car chase.

Smith & Wesson Model 36

A detective is seen dropping what appears to be a Smith & Wesson Model 36 when Reese knocks him out during the Terminator's assault on the police station.

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Smith & Wesson Model 36 - .38 Special
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A detective is seen dropping what appears to be a Smith & Wesson Model 36 when Reese knocks him out during the Terminator's assault on the police station.

Colt Trooper

Soon after arriving in the present, Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) grabs a Colt Trooper from a police officer and holds him at gunpoint while demanding to be told the current date, then flees into a nearby department store when more police arrive. In that scene, the revolver resembles more closely a Smith & Wesson model 15 "Combat Masterpiece", as the typical S&W thumbpiece can be seen. On a S&W it has to be pushed forward rather than pushed backwards to unlock the cylinder, as is the case with a Colt double-action revolver.

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Colt Trooper - .357 Magnum
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"What day is it? The date!" Reese (Michael Biehn) holds the Colt Trooper on a police officer when he asks what year it is.
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Kyle peeks out of a photo booth with a Trooper in hand.

Colt Python

A Colt Python is seen in the hands of a police officer that searches the patrol car that the Terminator abandoned.

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Colt Python - .357 Magnum
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A police officer searches the Terminator's patrol car with a Colt Python in hand.

Ruger Security Six

In a deleted scene, a gravely wounded Lt. Traxler (Paul Winfield) gives Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) a snubnose Ruger Security Six as he and Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) escape the police station. In another deleted scene, Kyle instinctively aims this revolver at Sarah when the two get into a tense confrontation. Later, at the Tiki motel, Kyle gives it to Sarah when he leaves to buy supplies. At the end of the film, Sarah carries a full size stainless Ruger Security Six on her lap as she rides through the Mexican desert.

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Ruger Security Six - .357 Magnum / .38 Special. Note adjustable rear sights.
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Lt. Traxler gives Kyle his Ruger Security Six in a deleted scene.
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Kyle pulls the Ruger Security Six on Sarah in another deleted scene.
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Sarah inspects the Ruger Security Six in the motel room.
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Stainless Ruger Security Six w/ 4 inch barrel - .357 Magnum,
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Sarah's full size stainless Ruger Security Six lies on her lap. Note that revolver appears to be unloaded.

Submachine Guns

IMI Uzi

Another weapon the Terminator acquires from the Gun Shop at the start of the film is an IMI Uzi. His purchasing of this is rather unrealistic, since civilian semi-auto Uzi carbines were always sold with a 16" barrel per legal requirements. A short dummy barrel was sometimes installed to entice buyers; the gun sold here, however, is just a regular open-bolt Uzi. James Cameron mentioned in the magazine "Soldier of Fortune" that he assumed that in story terms the Terminator had converted the Uzi and the AR-180 into full auto weapons in his hotel room. The Terminator uses the Uzi mainly in the Tech Noir nightclub, when Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) interferes with his attempts to terminate Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton). After losing his .45, the Terminator unloads several rounds at the nightclub, killing quite a few innocent bystanders, but fails to hit Sarah, or Kyle. He loses the weapon when Kyle uses his Ithaca to blast him out of the club's window. Another Uzi with a wooden stock is very briefly seen as Kyle Reese remembers the "Skin Job" Terminator attacking his Resistance base.

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IMI Uzi - 9x19mm
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The gunshop owner (Dick Miller) retrieves the Uzi from a shelf. Note that the short barrel is installed, which if live would not be legal to sell over the counter, even in 1984.
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The Terminator whips out his Uzi at the Tech Noir night club. Though in the story, the Terminator 'converts' an over-the-counter semi-automatic Uzi Carbine, the weapon used by the film's armorers was an open bolt select fire Uzi. They wouldn't convert a Carbine (and pay the ATF tax stamp) just for the sake of the film, when they could use existing full auto Uzi Submachine guns from Movie Armory inventories.
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The Terminator fires his Uzi at Kyle Reese.
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The Terminator fires his Uzi at Sarah Connor.
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IMI Uzi with detachable wooden buttstock - 9x19mm
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Visible only for an instant as the Terminator attacks the Resistance base in the future is this Uzi with a full wooden stock.

Shotguns

SPAS-12

The Franchi SPAS-12 shotgun is another firearm used by the Terminator. The Terminator first is seen with the shotgun in the gun store and then is one of the two weapons he uses during the assault on the police station. A SPAS-12 is also seen in the hands of a human Resistance fighter in one of the "Future War" flashbacks. The SPAS-12's top folding stock was removed by the Terminator before the attack at the police station, presumably since a Terminator would not need the stock for recoil or stability. Schwarzenegger fired the SPAS-12 with one hand, displaying the 'strength' of the Cyborg.

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Franchi SPAS-12 - 12 gauge
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The Terminator inspects the SPAS 12 at the gun store.
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Another shot of the Terminator inspecting his SPAS 12. Note that the factory top folding stock (now extended) is on the shotgun.
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"Hey, you can't do that..." The Terminator loads a live 12 gauge shell into the chamber.
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"Wrong." The Terminator kills the gun store owner (Dick Miller). In reality, very few gun stores keep live ammunition within reach of a customer on the counter top. Some stores might have crates of ammunition for sales or special deals on the floor, but gun store employees would pull their own sidearms on any customer who grabbed a box of ammo and had a live weapon in their hands at the same time.
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Franchi SPAS-12 combat shotgun with no stock – 12 gauge
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The Terminator keeps his SPAS 12 at the ready in the police station.
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The Terminator fires the SPAS 12 with one hand.
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The Terminator leans the SPAS 12 on his shoulder as he leaves the police station.

Ithaca 37 (Extended Magazine Tube with Sawed Off stock)

Upon arriving in present day Los Angeles, Reese procures an Ithaca 37 shotgun from an unattended police car. In addition to having a high-capacity magazine tube, Reese saws off part of the stock to give it a pistol grip instead, making it easier to conceal under his trenchcoat. He is also seen attaching it to himself with a piece of rope (a reference is made to this in 2009's Terminator Salvation). Reese notably uses it against the Terminator in the Tech Noir nightclub shootout, and the ensuing carchase after he and Sarah escape the car garage. Between acquiring the Ithaca and discharging it for the first time in the night club, Reese pumps the handle three times. First when he saws off the stock, again when he wakes up from his nightmare and for the third time just before shooting the Terminator at the night club. Not a single time is a shell ejected from the extraction port, which suggests Reese unloaded it prior to sawing off the stock, and only loaded it before he entered the night club. In a continuity error, an Ithaca without the extended mag tube is seen being held by Reese in the shootout.

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Full-stocked Ithaca 37 with extended magazine tube - 12 gauge. The one in the film has a sawed-off stock.
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Kyle steals the Ithaca 37 from an unattended police cruiser.
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Kyle retreats from the alley with his Ithaca 37.
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Kyle saws off his Ithaca 37's stock.
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Kyle wraps a string around the Ithaca's sawed down grip.
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Kyle pumps his Ithaca 37.
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Kyle crouches with a 4-shot Ithaca 37 in a continuity error. Though still an Ithaca 37, this is a standard police model, with the 4 shot magazine tube and blade front sight.
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Kyle fires his Ithaca 37 at the Tech Noir nightclub.
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Kyle fires his Ithaca 37 during the car chase with the Terminator.

Ithaca 37

Following the skirmish at the Tech Noir nightclub, the Terminator acquires his own Ithaca 37. The model used by the Terminator is the standard police model with a full stock, and 4-shot magazine. He keeps it with him while he stalks Kyle and Sarah in the multi-story parking garage. He then uses it to exchange fire with Kyle in the ensuing chase. During the police station massacre, a few cops can be seen with Ithaca 37s.

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Ithaca 37 standard police model - 12 gauge. Used by several police officers, the Terminator, and Kyle (in a continuity error).
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The Terminator acquires an Ithaca 37.
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The Terminator fires his Ithaca 37. Note the Terminator's lack of eyebrows due to them being burned off prior.
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During the police station massacre, a few cops can be seen with Ithaca 37s.

Rifles

AR-18

Yet another of the Terminator's guns is an Armalite AR-18 assault rifle. The gun is used with the stock removed (like the SPAS-12) and with two magazines taped together in a 'jungle style' configuration. He uses it primarily during the assault on the police station and during the car chase following the motel scene. The script refers to the rifle as an AR-18 and it is shown as such in the movie, though rather obviously a California gun store in 1984 would never sell a fully automatic rifle over the counter. The Terminator novel excuses this by stating the T-800 instead took a civilian AR-180 semi-automatic rifle and converted it to full-auto using tools stolen from a hardware store earlier in the day.

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A transferable fully automatic Armalite AR-18 as used in Terminator - 5.56x45mm. This is the actual prop weapon used in the movie.
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The Terminator inspects the AR-18 at the gunshop.
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The Terminator fires his AR-18.
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The Terminator reloads his AR-18.
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The Terminator holds his AR-18 at the ready as he leaves his motel room to find Kyle and Sarah.
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The Terminator kicks in the door and fires into Sarah and Kyle's room at the Tiki Motel.
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The AR-18 slides off the roof of Kyle and Sarah's truck after they hit the Terminator.
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The Terminator fires his AR-18 during the car chase in the tunnel.
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The Terminator tosses the AR-18 when it runs dry.

M16A1

During the assault on the police station by the Terminator, several police officers head to the armory and begin passing out M16A1 rifles with 20-round magazines. Lt. Edward Traxler (Paul Winfield) is seen with an M16A1 and uses the rifle to shoot the Terminator in the back (which resulted in the Terminator turning around with his own AR-18 rifle). Detective Hal Vukovich (Lance Henriksen) opens up on the Terminator with one after finding Traxler wounded by the cyborg. The Terminator returns fire with both the AR-18 and SPAS-12.

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M16A1 - 5.56x45mm
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Traxler, Vukovich, and a few other officers prep their M16A1s.
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Traxler fires his M16 before being gunned down.
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Vukovich holds his M16 as he checks an injured Traxler.
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"Hey!!!" Vukovich returns fire with his M16.

Heckler & Koch G3A3

A number of Heckler & Koch G3 rifles can be seen in the hands of human resistance fighters responsible for guarding a human bunker in 2029, fitted with the wide handguard and the G3's proprietary bipod. This makes sense, as a 7.62mm battle rifle would be a logical choice against heavily armoured enemies. A number of the G3's civilian cousin, the HK91 rifle can be seen on the gun racks at the Alamo Gun Store in 1984.

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Heckler & Koch G3 - 7.62x51mm NATO
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A Resistance fighter aims his G3 (with folding-bipod handguard) at the stronghold peephole before allowing Reese to enter.
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Another Resistance member holds his rifle as the Terminator attacks.

Valmet M82A

A Valmet M82A is used as Kyle Reese's plasma gun in the future war scenes. This Valmet M82A moved the front sight to the body of the rifle rather than the barrel versus the M82. Interesting little trivia note: Kyle's appearance in these scenes was the inspiration for the cover art of the first Metal Gear game.

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Valmet M82A Bullpup assault rifle - 5.56x45mm
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A production image of Reese with his "plasma gun" which is really a Valmet M82. Note lack of magazine.
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Kyle crouches with his Valmet M82.
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Kyle descends the stairs of a resistance compound with his M82.
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Kyle scans a HK Fighter Plane through the scope of his M82.
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Kyle playfully aims his M82 at a child in the compound.
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Kyle fires his M82 at the Infiltrator Terminator.

Machine Guns

Browning M2HB Heavy Machine Gun

Browning M2HB heavy machine guns are seen in the future war battle scene.

Browning M2HB in vehicle mounting - .50 BMG
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A member of the human resistance mans a Browning M2HB heavy machine gun in the future. Note it has no spade grips and ammo belt
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A twin M2 with a scope and various futuristic embellishments is seen inside the Resistance base as the "Skin Job" attacks.

Other

Lahti L-39

Amongst other miscellanous weapons in the Alamo Gun Store, a WW2 Finnish made Lahti L-39 anti-tank rifle is on display.

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Lahti L-39 (top) with a PK Machine Gun for scale - 20x138mmB
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A 20mm Lahti L-39 anti-tank rifle is seen in the background

"General Dynamics RSB-80 plasma gun"

A heavy gun is used by the Infiltrator Terminator (Franco Columbu) upon secretly entering the Resistance's underground bunker. This rapid-fire laser cannon was identified in the Terminator novelization as the "General Dynamics RSB-80 plasma gun". The weapon has a custom barrel shroud and appears to be mocked up from either a Maxim or Vickers machine gun. A similar cannon is also seen on the sunroof of the car driven by Reese while being chased by the Aerial HK.

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The T-600 Infiltrator Terminator (Franco Columbu) fires the RSB-80.
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The T-600 makes its way deeper into the Resistance shelter, firing at anyone in its path.
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A RSB-80 set atop a Resistance car's roof.
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See Also

Terminator Series